The Cardinal also beat up on an FCS team at home as an appetizer for a big game this week. Stanford hosts USC in a matchup with major Daily Wildcat Pac-12 Conference Power Rankings implications — oh, and Pac-12 championship implications, too.

The Golden Bears equaled their 2013 win total and surpassed their number of victories against FBS teams from last year in one game on the road against a tough Northwestern squad. This week Cal faces a Sac State team that has beaten Oregon State and Colorado in recent years.

In Seattle, the Cougars blew a 31-24 fourth quarter lead to Rutgers, which ESPN didn’t even have in the top 10 in its Big Ten preseason power rankings. Wazzu has now lost three in a row and three of four since beating Arizona last November.

Despite all the drama in Hollywood, the Trojans opened up their season with an impressive win over Fresno State, who they whacked last year in the Las Vegas Bowl. This week we’ll learn a lot about USC when it travels to The Farm.

The Wildcats pounded probably the worst team on their schedule, so there shouldn’t be anything noteworthy. However, Arizona’s redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon and the running backs shined, two big questions marks going into the season.

Last week: Third, W vs. UNLV 58-13This week: Thursday at UTSA (1-0)

4. No. 17 ASU (1-0)

The Sun Devils feasted on an FCS cupcake in Weber State, so we didn’t learn much. It was impressive, though, as they scored 31 points in the first half.

The Utes were the last Pac-12 team to pick on an FCS team, beating up on Idaho State. This week, we’ll learn a lot more about the Utes and the strength of the conference when they play Fresno State, which was routed by USC.

The Buffaloes’ quest to reach their first bowl game since 2007 took a major hit when they got beat by arch-rival Colorado State in Denver. Despite the long trip to UMass, they should handle the Minutemen, but it’s hard seeing them getting to six wins now.